City Council Meeting & 1st Public Hearing (FY2027 Budget)

The City Council of Greenbelt, Maryland, held a meeting on April 28, 2026, which included the first public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The council discussed various procurement-related topics including the approval of contracts such as the Geotab telematics contract with T-Mobile to replace the current Verizon Connect service for vehicle tracking, and a pavement assessment contract involving City Logics that includes a citizen engagement app for service requests. Budget discussions highlighted rising healthcare and prescription costs, with a projected increase of over 4%, prompting plans for budget adjustments. The council also reviewed a flood resiliency plan funded by the EPA, which included recommendations for gray and green infrastructure projects to address stormwater management and flooding issues in the city. Additionally, the council introduced a resolution to create a grant matching fund with an initial allocation of $750,000 to support city grants, aiming for sustainable and transparent funding. A charter amendment to establish collective bargaining rights for certain city employees was introduced but tabled for further discussion. The council approved allowing CARES to form a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to pursue grant funding for social services, with a working group formed to support this effort. Finally, the council agreed to resend a letter and issue a public statement opposing USDA reorganization plans affecting the local Bark research facility. Several motions related to contracts, budget, and grant funding were passed during the meeting.